Page:John Wycliff, last of the schoolmen and first of the English reformers.djvu/352

280 reign of Edward. A poll-tax of universal incidence had been proposed before 1377, but never actually levied. The impost in the year 1379 was the first which had fallen directly upon the poorest classes in the realm; and it sufficed to light up the smouldering fire which was only waiting for a wind to puff it into flame.